schools for child with autism

[tina]

Hi

I wonder if anyone can help me.

I have a 3 year old son who has recently been diagnosed with autism. I am currently in the process of applying for a statement. I know applying for one and actually getting one are two very different things.

However, he's due to start school September 2011 and I wondered whether any parents had good/bad experiences regarding schools in the area.Our local school is Ivydale and although I have heard good things about this school, there are obviously other things I have to take into consideration such as support availabe, size of classes, etc,etc.

Being a teacher myself doesn't help as I know what he'll have to go through everyday in terms of noise and crowds and it fills me with dread!

I appreciate any advice/knowledge anyone can give me.

Thanks a lot.

[Keef]

A friend of mine worked at Spa School in Bermondsey for a long while. I can't tell you much about it, but I know they had kids from around the ED area going there on transport buses.

Might be worth a look.

[Keef]

Sorry, it's only secondary, I thought it was primary too. I'm sure there is another one in that area.

[johnhinton]

With a statement, our daughter went to Dulwich Village CofE Infants School, which we found tremendously supportive. The staff and her classmates learned some Makaton signs to communicate with her, she had a teaching assistant to help her cope with the schoolday, and there were regular support group meetings (coffee, biscuits and information)for parents of children with disabilities. Cannot speak highly enough for the support she (and we) received at DVIS.

In drafting the statement, we found it hard not to be positive about the things our daughter could do, rather than the things she could not manage

john

[sian]

Hello Tina Alfred Salter has a good reputation for children with SEN. I am not sure if it has a specialism. Good luck. I think there is a Southwark support group for parents of children with SEN. I saw a notice I think at our GP's surgery. THis might be a good source of advice and information.

[malleymoo]

Hi Tina I remembered seeing a post for support group for children with autism which was held at the Magnolia pub and wonder if some of the other parents there may have some good ideas about local provision. not sure how everyone does that clever thing where you click on the blue writing and it takes you to the post but will give it a go

http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?6,455913,470084#msg-470084

Hooray it worked:))

[tina]

Thanks everyone for the advice. Obviously we'll have to visit schools ourselves and decide what's best for our son but it's good to hear other's opinions.

Thanks

[nicolemodesti]

Eagle House Group

Day Groups 2-19 years in South London and Surrey

www.eaglehousegroup.co.uk

Experts in autism spectrum disorders and Asperger's Syndrome

08450742972.

As a teacher myself, this is a school that 1 child in my class, with severe autism/EBD has thrived in!!

[dulwichbloke]

Hi Tina,

It's definitely worth visiting as many schools as you can reasonably manage, as they range from the appalling to the very enlightened. A lot will also depend on what your son's particular needs are. We are just going through the process with our 4 year old (choosing a school and applying for (and getting) a statement). If it would help to chat through what he have found out about local schools and the statementing process, feel free to PM me a telephone number and we can speak.

Also, there is the ED autism support group on the last Wednesday of every month at 7.30pm at the Magnolia pub. You can meet others in a similar position there.

[gnulover]

Tina, we have a son with autism and have just gone through the school process and got into Dulwich Village Infants before we got the statement which came through last week. It depends on how your son is but we liked the smallness of DVI as it is only an infant school so there is slightly less chaos at playtime (which is the time when we think he will need most help in socialising and playing with others). They also have a good buddy and mentor system in place to help children (with and without special needs) to integrate into groups which I really liked. However, my friend has a daughter with autism and is going to Goodrich as they have a good unit within the school so if things get too much they can be taken out of the main classroom which I like the sound of as well. You really need to visit all the schools and go with what you feel. Meet all the Sencos as they are the people you are likely to interact with the most.

The Mag group is great. We have been going for about 8 months now and they are not only good fun but really useful to find ouut what resouces are out there, courses, etc. I would also suggest you join Contact a Family's mailing list as they have a great newsletter (not Autism specific) and can help you fill out the dreaded Disability Living Allowance form if you haven't already.

If you want to chat, pm me

[sledge]

I think Snowsfield Primary in SE1 (near London Bridge station) also specialises in Special Education needs.

Good Luck

[jollyrogers]

Snowsfield has an autistic unit.

[Pugwash]

I heard that Rye Oaks Primary School (Peckham/Nunhead) has an autistic unit - they were advertising for staff in the SLP this week.

[Keef]

Totally forgot about Brent Knoll in Sydenham, which is bad, as my wife used to work there!